In keeping with the Mission, Vision and Values of the Niagara Catholic District School Board, the Board supports and engages in direct ongoing communication with the Diocese of St. Catharines and the Government of Ontario to identify and discuss policies, financial issues and other common interests. The Board will work in partnership with all its education partners including other school boards and governments (local, provincial and federal) through established channels with the objective of maximizing resources for students.

The Niagara Catholic District School Board also recognizes that Ontario has an effective education governance structure to ensure there is open and ongoing communication with the province, including partnership tables, regular meetings and other vehicles established by the government.

The Board communicates indirectly with the government through established professional and interest advocacy organizations including, but is not limited to, Ontario Catholic School Trustees’ Association (OCSTA), Ontario Catholic School Business Officials Association (OCSBOA), Ontario Catholic Supervisory Officers’ Association (OCSOA), Catholic Council of Ontario Directions of Education (ECCODE), Catholic Principals’ Council of Ontario (CPCO), and the Institute for Catholic Education (ICE).

Definition Advocacy:

Advocacy is active support for an idea or a cause. It can take many forms, but includes speaking up and drawing attention to an important issue. It may also include influencing decision-makers. It usually involves the interests of specific groups or organizations and the interests of the government.

In education, advocacy often revolves around topics such as funding, special needs, language delivery, or early childhood education; the common denominator is the interests of students and the value of publicly funded education.

The Director of Education will issue Administrative Operational Procedures for the implementation of this Policy.

Niagara Catholic District School Board *ADVOCACY POLICY* STATEMENT OF GOVERNANCE POLICY
100 - Board	Policy No 100.9

Adopted Date: March 27, 2007	Latest Reviewed/Revised Date: April 23, 2024